Ginobili, Spurs halt Cleveland's 8-game win streak

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SAN ANTONIO(AP) -- Tim Duncan walked out of the locker room with a
slight limp. Tony Parker and his broken hand sneaked out way
earlier.

Manu Ginobili made sure they left with a win. A big one.

Ginobili scored half of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, and
San Antonio beat Cleveland 102-97 on Friday night, ending the
Cavaliers' eight-game winning streak that began with a home
victory over the Spurs earlier this month.

"It means we're not that far from the best," Ginobili said. "Of
course, it's just a game, and at home. But it makes us feel
better."

After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Ginobili
was still stung that the Spurs couldn't beat both conference
leaders back-to-back. But in what will likely be the worst
regular-season for the Spurs in the Duncan era, they'll take
this one.

LeBron James had 27 points for Cleveland, but the Cavs watched
their second-longest winning streak slip away with six scoreless
possessions down the stretch.

James misfired twice and turned the ball over on half of those
possessions. His frustrating fourth quarter included tumbling to
the baseline after losing the basketball - when Ginobili,
fittingly, hooked his left arm around to knock it away.

"I've seen every coverage before, so I've got past the
frustration stage," James said. "They did a good job of keeping
bodies in front of bodies, sometimes double-teams, sometimes
trapping."

James had 11 points in the fourth, but it was Ginobili's
quarter. He shot 4 of 7, including two 3-pointers and a stretch
of four straight Spurs baskets.

It was the third 30-point game for Ginobili since being forced
into the starting lineup this month when Parker broke his hand
March 6.

Two nights later, the Cavs began their winning streak with a
97-95 win over the Spurs in Cleveland. They hadn't lost since.

Ginobili's 38 against the Cavs weren't enough to beat Cleveland
that first time around. But 30 did the trick this time.

"He's the reason they're still above water even after Tony went
out," James said.

Since Parker went down, Ginobili is averaging 23.8 points and
has carried the Spurs to a 7-4 mark without their starting
pointing guard. Parker isn't expected to return until the
playoffs.

"With Tony down, he's got the ball in his hands a little more,
He's a playmaker," said Duncan, who scored 16. "If you can put
the ball in his hands and let him get comfortable, these are the
results you get."

Beating the Cavs gave the Spurs one of their best wins in what
will likely be their worst season in the Duncan era.

Excluding the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, San Antonio has
never won fewer than 53 regular-season games since drafting
Duncan in 1997. But that's now in jeopardy.

The Spurs (43-28) can only afford to lose once in their final 11
games to avoid their worst regular-season record since 1996-97,
when they last missed the playoffs after winning just 20 games.
They're in better shape this time - but need to be careful.

San Antonio is seventh in the Western Conference, a half-game
ahead of Portland.

The schedule only gets slightly easier for the Spurs, who go to
Boston on Sunday. The Celtics are one of eight winning teams
still ahead for the Spurs, including another round with the
Lakers and Orlando.

NOTES: Cavs F Anderson Varejao left the game in the first half
with a sore hamstring and did not return. ... The Cavs face
their final West opponent - at least for the regular season -
Sunday against Sacramento.